Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting – January 28, 2026
Waukesha Plan Commission Meeting – January 28, 2026
The Plan Commission of Waukesha met on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers at City Hall. Six members were present (Joan Francoeur, Jack Wells, Shawn Reilly, R.G. Keller, Jennifer Wallner, Heather Granger); one member (Elizabeth Moltzan) was absent. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, two certified survey maps, two final site plan and architectural reviews (Prairie Song Courtyards and Fox Den Apartments), and a discussion of the zoning code update.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of December 17, 2025 and December 22, 2025 – Approved unanimously (6‑0).
- Certified Survey Map – 1901 S. Prairie Avenue – A one‑lot CSM combining three parcels (34.817 acres) owned by Weldall Manufacturing in the M‑2 District. Approved unanimously (6‑0) with conditions addressing engineering, fire, and water utility comments.
- Certified Survey Map – 400 Wilmont Drive – A one‑lot CSM combining two parcels (2.2292 acres) for Superior Crane in the M‑2 District. Approved unanimously (6‑0) with same conditions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered during the public comment period. Members of the public spoke only during the discussion of specific agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Prairie Song Courtyards (PC25‑0199) – Bielinski Homes proposed a 24‑unit multifamily condominium development on 4.03 vacant acres (south side of Summit Avenue) under the Rm‑2 PUD district. The plan included three 4‑unit buildings and two 6‑unit buildings, all with front‑facing garages oriented inward. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions (recorded CSM, finalized PUD agreement, tree replacement, and department comments).
- Key debate: Commissioners Francoeur and Keller opposed the monotony of identical building designs and the dominance of front‑facing garages. They urged the developer to add variety (e.g., side‑facing garages, different rooflines) but the developer argued the site is heavily tree‑lined and the garages would not be visible from the street. Commissioner Wells expressed similar frustration but voted to approve to allow construction to proceed. The mayor noted the motion did not include changes to garages.
- Outcome: Approved 4‑2 (Francoeur and Keller nay).
- Fox Den Apartments (PC26‑0001) – A new 63‑unit, 3‑story multifamily building on Lot 4 (2.216 acres) within the Fox Run Mixed‑Use PUD. The building would include underground parking (65 spaces), surface parking, patios, balconies, and amenities (fitness center, lounge). Staff recommended approval.
- Discussion: Commissioners praised the architectural variety (different brick colors, siding, reveals) and compatibility with existing Fox Den buildings. No opposition.
- Outcome: Approved unanimously (6‑0).
- Zoning Code Update (ID#26‑02890) – City staff presented attorney‑recommended changes to the draft code, primarily to the review and decision‑making standards. Key changes included: removing the “administrative adjustments” category (parking reduction parameters remain but without that label); removing the “interpretation” section; and adding objective standards for administrative site plan and architecture review exceptions (allowing the Plan Commission to modify requirements if strict compliance is impractical, but not to eliminate a requirement entirely). Staff also applied the proposed code to the Prairie Song Courtyards project as a test case, noting that under the new code the development would need changes (e.g., orientation of end‑unit entrances, staggered building faces, 50% tier‑one materials, more articulation, and a maximum of 2.25 parking spaces per unit). No vote was taken; the code is expected to be presented for recommendation at the regular February Plan Commission meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of December 17 and 22, 2025 (6‑0).
- Approved Certified Survey Map for 1901 S. Prairie Avenue (6‑0).
- Approved Certified Survey Map for 400 Wilmont Drive (6‑0).
- Approved Final Site Plan & Architectural Review for Prairie Song Courtyards (4‑2).
- Approved Final Site Plan & Architectural Review for Fox Den Apartments (6‑0).
- Discussed zoning code update; no action taken. Next steps: Joint Plan Commission‑Council working session on February 11, 2026; recommendation at the regular February 2026 Plan Commission meeting.
- Meeting adjourned after the zoning update.
Meeting Transcript
All right. We'll call the Plan Commission meeting for Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 to order. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Justice Raw. Okay, um, next item is roll call. Um Commissioner Molson is unable to attend tonight. And we have present here, Keller, Frank Core, Wells, Riley, Walner, and Granger. Um, so we do have a quorum. Um next item is public comment. And uh for Plan Commission, we allow public comment um under the agenda items. If you wish to speak um under anything that's on the agenda, you'll be able to do so um during the course of the meeting when that item comes up. Um, but if you have limited time or you want to make comments about anything else, you're welcome to come to the microphone now. Okay, we'll close public comment. Next item is approval of the minutes of December 17th, 2025 and December 22nd uh 2025. I'll make a motion to approve those minutes. Commissioner Keller seconds. Uh any discussion. Okay. Uh all in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstaining. So that motion passes unanimously. And that is both minutes. Next item is certified survey map for 1901 South Prairie Avenue. Uh this is to approve a one lot CSM combining three parcels uh covering 34.817 acres of land owned by Weldall. Um and it's in the M2 General Manufacturing District at the South End of Prairie. Um what we do is um staff will provide a short overview. Um, then the common council common council. Plan commission can answer questions, uh ask questions, and we would then open it up to anyone who wishes to make comments from the public uh and then bring it back to the plan commission. So Robin, um go ahead. Yes, thank you. I'm really confused because your name tags are switched. We're switching for granicus. Uh so yes, this is a certified survey map for uh the wild law property at 1901 South Prairie Avenue. Um here is the uh site right here, just on the north side of uh Les Paul Parkway to the east of uh prairie. And then here's a close-up view of that property. So they've had some projects come before us in the past, um the past year with some new buildings and some other things. So they're actually it's a good actually a uh one lot CSM uh from four lots. So um the fourth one is right here uh next to the railroad track up there. So I highlighted the uh four different um individual parcels that are being made up into the one lot uh certified survey map for a total of 34.817 acres. So with that, staff recommends approval of the certified survey map for 1901 South Prairie Avenue with following conditions that all engineering, fire department, and water utility comments to be addressed. Okay, um questions to staff. I guess one question is is this has been operated as one lot for probably 40-50 years or so. I would assume yeah, they own the four those four individual parcels, but just in case in the future with more buildings and things, it would uh help with setback requirements um by doing a one-lot CSM instead of having the individual parcels and cleaner too. Um anyone from the public wish to comment. All right, back to the plan commission. Um I'll make a motion to uh recommend approval of the certified survey map for 1901 South Prairie Avenue. Um with a second, we'll okay.
openpublica.com